The kitchen might just be one of the messiest places in every household, and it has definitely seen its fair share of messes and mishaps with all the cooking, baking and everything in between happening inside. And while there are many cleaning products out there for you to choose from, you might not need it when the most versatile and effective solution can be found right inside your kitchen—baking soda!
Baking soda—also known as sodium bicarbonate—is a popular ingredient most often used in baking as it gives pastries and breads a fluffier texture, but you might not know that it’s an effective cleaning agent too. Not only does it serve as a natural, non-toxic alternative to harsh commercial cleaners, but it’s also an extremely versatile ingredient to have as it serves a wide range of functions, including odor neutralization, stain removal, and surface cleaning.
Here are a few ways you can harness the power of baking soda to tackle kitchen cleaning tasks more easily!
Removing Foul Refrigerator Odors
The last thing you want when opening your refrigerator is to be greeted by unpleasant odors, and the good news is that baking soda can help you solve this little problem. To get rid of the nasty smells swirling around your refrigerator, the first step should always be to identify and eliminate the source of the odor, but even doing so still leaves the stubborn smell lingering inside. That’s when you whip out the baking soda!
All you need to do is to pour a good amount of the white powder into a bowl or container and place this inside the fridge. In case you didn’t know, baking soda is a great odor neutralizer that actually absorbs and eliminates the smell completely rather than simply masking it with a pleasant aroma the way most air fresheners today do. Over time, the smell will slowly disappear until your refrigerator is left fresh and odor-free.
Conquering Stubborn Stains
With all the chaos that happens in your typical household kitchen, there’s bound to be a few hard-to-clean stains that you just can’t get rid of, but baking soda might be able to help with that.
Here’s how to clean tough stains on flat surfaces. After creating a slightly diluted white vinegar solution and putting this into a spray bottle, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the stubborn stain before spraying the vinegar solution onto the baking soda. At this point, you’ll notice the two ingredients reacting to each other, and this reaction is actually what makes this combination a powerful cleaning solution alternative.
When you’re dealing with hard food particles stuck in hard to reach places—like the walls of your microwave or oven—you can add a few drops of water to some baking soda to create a paste. Massage this paste onto the affected areas until they’ve been softened and removed.
In case the stain still persists, layer the paste over the area before spraying it with white vinegar. Let these two ingredients sit together before gently scrubbing everything away, repeating these steps as much as needed.
Absorbing Spills
Mealtime mishaps are inevitable, particularly when it comes to spilled drinks and liquids on upholstered furniture and fabric materials. Fortunately, baking soda can make cleanup a breeze.
The most important thing to remember is that immediate action is crucial in cleaning up these messes. After blotting up any excess liquid with a clean cloth, generously sprinkle baking soda over the stained area, allowing it to sit for approximately 30 minutes. The baking soda will transform into a paste as it absorbs the spilled liquid.
Afterwards, remove all traces of the baking soda with a clean cloth or paper towel before going in with another damp cloth and gently dabbing at the area to absorb any excess moisture. Once you’ve removed as much as you can, leave the area to dry completely.
These are only a few ways that baking soda can make household cleaning much easier for you, but there are just some messes that require professional help. Luce Home has a wide range of affordable cleaning packages and services that cater to your unique household cleaning needs, such as our part-time maid & home cleaning services.
Our professional cleaners are equipped with years of training and experience to leave your home sparkling clean after every session, and we’re more than happy to work around your schedule for your convenience.
Send us a quick message to schedule your first cleaning appointment today!